Manager, Benefits and Wellbeing- Absence Management Project Manager

Walmart • Bentonville, AR

13d • $80,000 - $155,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Position Summary... As a Project Manager on the Absence Management team, you will lead and support the implementation, compliance, and continuous improvement of Walmart’s leave of absence and disability programs, with a strong focus on Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML). You will partner across teams to ensure these programs operate efficiently, meet legal requirements, and deliver an excellent associate experience. Additionally, this role will play a key part in leading and coordinating multiple cross-functional projects that enhance operational efficiency and strategic alignment of Leave of Absence, Disability, Paid Time Office and Accommodations programs . What you'll do... Leave of Absence and Disability Programs: Oversee day-to-day operations for multi-state programs, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws (including FMLA) and internal policies. Support the integration of statutory leave programs within Walmart’s broader benefits portfolio. Lead project planning, execution, and monitoring activities for leave-related initiatives, including timelines, deliverables, and resource management. Gather, analyze, and document clear business requirements to align stakeholders and guide execution. Program Execution & Compliance: Conduct audits and ensure system and vendor compliance with statutory and company standards. Identify and escalate risks or compliance gaps, supporting mitigation planning and corrective actions. Coordinate and manage project workstreams to ensure timely implementation of policy, process, and system updates in response to regulatory changes. Data & Process Improvement: Collect and analyze leave data to evaluate program performance, identify trends, and recommend process or policy improvements. Contribute to continuous improvement efforts that balance compliance and associate experience - while embracing emerging technologies, including AI-powered tools and agents, to enhance efficiency and support evolving workforce needs. Vendor Management: Support vendor relationship oversight by tracking performance metrics, assisting in audits, and ensuring adherence to service level agreements. Coordinate with vendors to plan, and execute projects that enhance service delivery and program performance — ensuring clear timelines, defined deliverables, and accountability across both internal and external teams. Serve as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and shared ownership of initiatives. Lead cross-functional governance meetings and provide updates to senior leadership. Stakeholder Support & Communication: Serve as a point of contact for escalated leave inquiries, partnering with HR, Legal, and Payroll to resolve complex issues. Develop and deliver training materials and resources for field and business partners on absence related policies and procedures to include, but not limited to, PFML, Paid Sick Leave (PSL) and Paid Time Off (PTO), Leave of Absence (LOA), Short and Long Term Disability, and Accommodations (ADA). Foster strong working relationships across internal teams to promote understanding and consistent application of leave programs. Facilitate cross-functional project meetings, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and progress tracking among key stakeholders. Leadership & Collaboration: Promote a culture of inclusion, accountability, and associate care aligned with Walmart’s values. Partner closely with senior leadership to communicate progress and program outcomes. Demonstrate strong project leadership by leading through influence, managing competing priorities, and ensuring project goals align with organizational strategy. Champion Walmart’s values and ethics by ensuring that leave programs reflect the company’s commitment to respect, integrity, and the Open Door Policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources, or related field OR 5 years of experience in benefits administration, project management, legal or related area
• 2+ years of experience managing or supporting statutory paid leave or paid sick leave programs
• Knowledge of federal and multi-state leave regulations (e.g., PFML, PSL, FMLA)
• Experience in a large, multi-state organization or highly regulated environment
• 2+ years of experience in project management, including planning, execution, and delivery of cross-functional initiatives

Nice To Haves

• Project Management or HR certification (PMP, PHR/SPHR)
• Experience working with HRIS and payroll systems (Workday and SAP preferred)
• Experience collaborating with vendors and managing performance metrics
• Microsoft Office
• Project Management
• Supervising Associates
• Project Management - Project Management Professional - Certification

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations for multi-state programs, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws (including FMLA) and internal policies.
• Support the integration of statutory leave programs within Walmart’s broader benefits portfolio.
• Lead project planning, execution, and monitoring activities for leave-related initiatives, including timelines, deliverables, and resource management.
• Gather, analyze, and document clear business requirements to align stakeholders and guide execution.
• Conduct audits and ensure system and vendor compliance with statutory and company standards.
• Identify and escalate risks or compliance gaps, supporting mitigation planning and corrective actions.
• Coordinate and manage project workstreams to ensure timely implementation of policy, process, and system updates in response to regulatory changes.
• Collect and analyze leave data to evaluate program performance, identify trends, and recommend process or policy improvements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts that balance compliance and associate experience - while embracing emerging technologies, including AI-powered tools and agents, to enhance efficiency and support evolving workforce needs.
• Support vendor relationship oversight by tracking performance metrics, assisting in audits, and ensuring adherence to service level agreements.
• Coordinate with vendors to plan, and execute projects that enhance service delivery and program performance — ensuring clear timelines, defined deliverables, and accountability across both internal and external teams.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and shared ownership of initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional governance meetings and provide updates to senior leadership.
• Serve as a point of contact for escalated leave inquiries, partnering with HR, Legal, and Payroll to resolve complex issues.
• Develop and deliver training materials and resources for field and business partners on absence related policies and procedures to include, but not limited to, PFML, Paid Sick Leave (PSL) and Paid Time Off (PTO), Leave of Absence (LOA), Short and Long Term Disability, and Accommodations (ADA).
• Foster strong working relationships across internal teams to promote understanding and consistent application of leave programs.
• Facilitate cross-functional project meetings, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and progress tracking among key stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, accountability, and associate care aligned with Walmart’s values.
• Partner closely with senior leadership to communicate progress and program outcomes.
• Demonstrate strong project leadership by leading through influence, managing competing priorities, and ensuring project goals align with organizational strategy.
• Champion Walmart’s values and ethics by ensuring that leave programs reflect the company’s commitment to respect, integrity, and the Open Door Policy.

Benefits

• At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
• Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
• You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities.
• Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates.
• Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees